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It has been said that life is way too fleeting to even contemplate drinking inferior wine. Keeping this mantra in mind, it comes as no surprise to learn that the adoration of quality vino is alive and well.

Historically recorded accounts claim that the discovery of fermented grape juice was just a fortuitous, happy accident, perpetrated by one and appreciated by many.

During the Neolithic Revolution, regions of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Middle East, were credited with the resultant delightful consequence. However, subsequent archaeological evidence revealed the Sumerians of Mesopotamia to have been the first farmers to actively pursue viticulture with the sole purpose of brewing an alcoholic beverage using grapes.

Jewish tradition did not agree with reported scientific information. Folklore instead chose to recognize Noah, specifically in the old testament of biblical scriptures, as the person who planted a vine upon finding dry land, after surviving an apocalyptic flood. This allegedly resulted in the cultivation of grapevines becoming an accepted, appreciated pastime.

Regardless of folk tales and legends, it is believed that, after the fall of the mighty Roman Empire, monasteries continued the practice of making wine for personal use and for sharing with beggars and an assortment of visitors via a hatch in the side buttery door. Furthermore, kings, pharaohs, priests and senior officials supposedly still enjoyed the benefits of the prized produce at spiritual gatherings and ceremonies.

Aided in the 1600s by territorial invasions, New World explorations and the resultant establishment of an ever-expanding network of trade routes across the oceans of the world, the popularity of the sap of the vineyards continued to grow accordingly. The rest, as they say, is ancient history and most people still enjoy a cool draught of grape extract today.

VITICULTURAL FACTS

Casual wine drinkers may wish to order their favorite tipple by the glass or bottle. Typical choices comprise red, white or rosé. However, the definitive procedure of vintage classification entails so much more.

Grape Cultivars Used

Vintners choose from a large variety of divergent grape types to make wine. Red vine variants the likes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot are chosen for their ability to produce earthy, chocolatey or spicy flavors and aromas in the finished product. Similarly, white Riesling and Chardonnay cultivars yield mostly fruity, fresh fermentations that linger lightly on the palate.

Manipulating the Blend

Desired vintages may be given a particular individuality by either combining grape crops harvested in different years, or by exploiting the fruit reaped in one specific year.

In order to achieve the preferred flavor and bouquet in wines, different chemical manipulations are often employed. A prime example is the introduction of Noble Rot or botrytis to the fermenting broth. This exercise stimulates sugar production resulting in a sweet dessert blend. Likewise, fortified sherry and port require the addition of alcohol during the steeping process.

According to connoisseurs, these and comparable practices result in the attainment of wines which exhibit depth and a distinctly balanced taste. Tartness, alcohol content and tannins become indistinguishable from each other and leave a pleasing finish on the tongue.

The color and clarity of the final merchandise can also be subtly influenced. Precisely exposing fruit extract to the grape’s discarded skins during the maturation of the blend, cleverly darkens the liquid, depending on the length of contact. Conversely, fining agents are added in order to clear a cloudy, murky mixture. A diverse list of unusual ingredients, including albumen from egg whites, gelatin, skim milk, fish bladder and carbon, are utilized for this purpose as needed.

SUITABLE STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Wine collectors and merchants actively track down and procure rare, vintage and non-vintage stores of wine on auctions, directly from favorite suppliers, via online investigation or otherwise, from reputable retail outlets. Available merchandise may be ordered in bulk or acquired selectively from vineries, chateaux and estates in Italy, Germany, New Zealand and Argentina in addition to other wide-ranging sourced locations.  

Safely and securely storing these liquid treasures, while building up the charm of your dream home, is a real challenge for homeowners. Before deciding on a storage solution for priceless wine stocks, collectors, sommeliers and novices alike, need to carefully ponder a few important points. Check out these top shelving and display ideas for wine bottles: https://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/living-family-rooms/g34076700/wine-cellar-ideas/.

Capacity

The first issue to consider when planning to add a showstopping wine stockroom to your property, is the bottle capacity required. How many bottles need to be stored and how much space is available for exploitation? Wine coolers can be fitted into accessible nooks and crannies, remain freestanding or be incorporated into existing cupboards or larger storage spaces that happen to be readily available.    

Location

In order to prevent wines from maturing prematurely or spoiling altogether, bottles need to be protected from harsh, direct sunlight, extreme heat sources and electronic devices or external goings-on that cause excessive vibrations. Hence, when choosing a location for a wine cellar, cooler or cabinet, it is important to keep these hazards in mind. In some instances, naturally occurring, recessed areas or existing basements fit the bill perfectly and need only minor renovation to become suitably functional.  

Aesthetic Design

Installing an artistically devised wine cellar can serve purposes other than shielding the cache from potentially damaging external influences. Clever application of up-to-date, advanced technology and modern design techniques fully exploits available storage space and delivers a classy solution to social interaction.

The first impression made by a wine repository is very important. Hosts can choose from a variety of wine room doors in this regard. An elegant array of basic glass-fronted doors can be customized to include arched facades, elaborately engraved panes and a range of striking finishes and special features.

Glass can also be toughened, shaded, double-paned or treated to be more resistant to ultra-violet light. Another consideration is the ease of accessibility to a favorite brand or valued collectible, by way of reversable doors.

Racking options are similarly adaptable to meet selective buyer specifications. Traditional stowage incorporates a variety of natural wood products into shelving. However, modern cellars also comprise steel and aluminum to increase the retention of cool air and the transference thereof to closely packed bottles.

Shelves are crafted to be versatile and adjustable to conform to the size and shape of bottles while optimally utilizing storage acreage. Keep in mind that, although standard bottles hold 750ml, a magnum format for instance, hold twice the volume and require more storage area. Also, while bottles are habitually stored horizontally, on their sides, to save space and to keep the cork from drying out, accommodating upright packing is equally important.

Soft-close shelving selections protect delicate wines against adverse tremors and movement that could stir up unappealing sediment, consequently diminishing the quality of the liquid.

Safety Features

Novel, collectable wines are inevitably acquired at a considerable price. It is therefore of the utmost importance to ensure safekeeping of these treasures.

Luckily, anxious owners can take advantage of up-to-date security features available on the market. These measures include basic accessories such as safety locking mechanisms as well as more extreme reassurance in the usage of biometric fingerprint access control.

HOW TO STORE WINE

Temperature

Wine is basically produced when fruit is deliberately fermented. Nonetheless, fruit is inherently unpreserved and will spoil if given the opportunity to do so.

So, contrary to popular belief, all wines are not similarly suited to long-term storage.

The optimal range of temperature at which wines may be stored is between forty-five- and sixty-five-degrees Fahrenheit. If stored in a warmer atmosphere, wines can become cooked, which results in a muted taste and subdued flavors. However, this occurrence depends predominantly on the type of wine. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot stocks are believed to be best enjoyed after resting for twenty years or more. White varieties though, should be consumed within two to three years of purchase.

Fortified wines are kept at sixty-to sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit while sparkling blends, rosé and white varieties prefer a more chilled environment. Equally, reds are best appreciated at a temperature between fifty- and sixty- degrees, allowing for personal preference.

Contemporary cooling arrangements allow for dual temperature zones to be observed. Suitable climate control systems and fans regulate temperature fluctuations that could be harmful to the aging of the collection. Top-of-the line models offer discerning oenophiles wi-fi connectivity, accessible via a smart phone application, so as to regulate individual cooling preferences and settings remotely. Read this for expert tips on how to store your wine.

Humidity

Achieving and maintaining a prime level of humidity in the cellar is vital. Extreme damp on the one hand promotes the growth of mold which decays bottle labels and discolors the containers. Contrarily, a dearth of moisture may cause the stoppers in the bottles to crack, allowing air to taint the valuable liquid inside and potentially ruining the crop.

Illumination

Creatively illuminating a cellar enhances the aesthetic appeal of the space. However, visual attractiveness should not be the only consideration when choosing suitable lighting.

Even though some wines are bottled in opaque or colored glass, exposure to UV light remains a real threat. Hazardous fluorescent radiance can be substituted by gentler incandescent bulbs in this instance.

An American wine dealer and writer once said that the finest way to learn about wine was to actually consume it. Thus, incorporating suitable wine with a meal, is thought to be a most civilized, socially accepted practice and is said to mark the occasion. In fact, failing to do so, smacks of a low or inferior status and rude behavior among cultured society.